Promoting Resilience with Children Impacted by Parental Incarceration

Abstract

In prison, jails, and detention centers, the United States incarcerates more people than any other country, and most of these individuals are parents. As a result, early care and intervention professionals are likely to encounter infants and young children affected by parental incarceration. This article will review the scope of the problem, the effects on children, and discuss how providers can best help young children by being aware of their own bias, recognizing and supporting resilience, responding sensitively, knowing and sharing resources, and advocating as appropriate.